Joint study of ammonia fuelled bulk carriers

(Posted on 22/07/24)

ITOCHU Corporation, ClassNK, Nihon Shipyard Co., Ltd., and Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) regarding a joint study for the design and safety specifications of ammonia-fuelled ships which are under development by ITOCHU and partners.

Ammonia is advancing as a viable marine fuel solution for the decarbonization of the maritime sector. The discussion for a specification of ammonia-fuelled ship with governmental body related to their operation is essential for a social implementation of ammonia-fuelled ship. As one of parties of the MoU, MPA, the government agency overseeing the world’s busiest bunkering hub, will review and provide their views to the designs of the ammonia-fuelled ships to ensure their safe operations.

This MoU is based on the premise that 200,000 deadweight ton class bulk carriers will be built by Nihon Shipyard with an ammonia dual-fuelled engine by applying alternative design approval*1 process in accordance with the ‘Integrated project for development and social implementation of ammonia-fuelled ships’ which was adopted under the ‘Green Innovation Fund Project / Development Project for Next-Generation Ships / Development of Ammonia-Fuelled Ship’, a project publicly offered by New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) in October 2021. The necessary clarifications of the specification for the ammonia-fuelled ship to carry out ammonia bunkering in Singapore will be conducted among parties of this MoU, for the commercialization of ammonia-fuelled ships.

As a classification society, ClassNK is responsible for providing insight from the perspective of safety and environmental protection as well as information on alternative design approval process. ClassNK is committed to participating in various initiatives towards decarbonization and will continue to contribute to society through safety assessments and information provision.

*1 Alternative design approval is to prove that the ship is as safe as a ship built in accordance with existing international regulations and to obtain approval from the competent authorities when the ship is designed without any international guidelines.

Latest News

InterManager urges Seafarer participation in Enclosed-Space Safety Survey

Following the International Maritime Organisation’s (IMO’s) newly tightened rules on enclosed... Read more

DNV: Nuclear propulsion is viable solution for maritime decarbonisation

According to a new paper by DNV, shifting environmental requirements are reigniting interest in nuclear... Read more

MoU on cooperation Between Zhejiang Seaport and Columbia

Zhejiang Seaport Group and Columbia Group Limited have signed a Strategic Cooperation Memorandum of... Read more

INTERCARGO statement on Extraordinary Meeting of MEPC

The International Association of Dry Cargo Shipowners (INTERCARGO) has released a statement on the Extraordinary... Read more

Investigation into impact of technology on seafarers

The future of shipping is already here. From autonomous systems to artificial intelligence, maritime... Read more

ESL Shipping’s science-based net-zero targets validated by SBTi

 The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) has approved ESL Shipping’s near and long-term... Read more

Call for Wind to belong in IMO Net-Zero Framework

BAR Technologies has joined calls for the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to formally recognise... Read more

AXSMarine celebrates 25 Years of innovation and leadership

AXSMarine, a pioneer in maritime technology, celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, marking a quarter... Read more

Passport application breakthrough for Ukrainian seafarers overseas

In what’s been described as a major breakthrough for the careers of Ukrainian seafarers, a remote... Read more

Algoma celebrates 100th vessel milestone

Algoma Central Corporation has taken delivery of the Algoma Legacy, the first of three new methanol-... Read more